With EoE, Allergies, Asthma and a G-Tube

I decided to do Christmas a little different this year. We were going on an adventure. It took a lot of decisions and planning. The only places we really ever go is to visit my parents in either Ohio or Florida. We like to camp, but that’s always for a quick weekend. THIS trip was going to be a real adventure, on the road, multiple stops, lots of driving, kind of adventure.

How does one present an adventure from Santa? By way of snowman of course! The front of the envelope that held a card told them they had to open their other presents first. He was then marked with tags on the back for which kid opens which box. Otherwise there would have been a fight.

Adventure Snowman

Charlie opened the envelope and read the letter from Santa.

Dear Charlie, Gage, Tinleigh and Layton,

This year I have planned something extra special for you.

I am going to send you on an adventure.

It’s sort of a big adventure.

I have packed your bags.

There are hotels reserved.

So, get ready, you’re leaving today!

Yes, today!

Want to guess where you’re going?

Unwrap this snowman to figure it out!

All my love,

Santa

They were so excited after hearing this. First Gage opened the head. Inside he found 8 folded up papers and one rolled up on top. The rolled up paper told them we were headed to San Antonio. The folded up papers were “coupons” for our day long tour of San Antonio. We were going to do a bus tour, see the Alamo, go to the top of the Tower of Americas, do a 4D movie there and take a guided ride on the Riverwalk.

Next up was the belly. Layton unwrapped this one and found goggles, floaties and suntan lotion along with the next destination.

Last box was for Tinleigh to unwrap. She unwrapped the last letter that told us we would end our vacation in Fort Worth. We had a day adventure planned to tour the stockyards. Somehow I managed to find a small bit of time to make everyone a special T-shirt!

Top row: my dad, Charlie, Tinleigh, my mom.

Second row: mine, Nathan, Layton, Gage.

It was so fun coming up with something different for everyone. I’m not a matchy-matchy let’s have a family vacation t-shirt kind of girl. Mom and Dad got South Padre t-shirts because they’re snow birds and I figured they would get more use out of it than a Texas t-shirt.

If you look back in the first picture you can see a similar smaller white box next to the snowman. That one was for Charlie and Gage. When they opened it they foundThough this was a gift from Santa, Nathan’s parents gifted this special fishing trip to the boys.

Once it was all opened and the surprised was revealed it was time to get moving, we had to get on the road.

Santa had actually packed all the clothes ahead of time, along with the medical bag and most of the snacks. We just had a few last minute things to toss in the car. We were out the door by 1pm.

Up next: cold weather, rain, food allergies at restaurants and what we saw.

Our family

I’m the average stay at home super mom. Run the daily grind of raising two boys and two girls.

I love coffee, dancing, painting and teaching my children how to grow into the best people they can be.

All three of my oldest kids and my husband have Eosinophilic Esophagitis, multiple food and environmental allergies and the kids all have asthma. Our youngest does not have EoE but does have some strong environmental allergies and chronic urticaria. More recently the boys were also diagnosed with Elhers Danlos type 3.

Dealing with these issues daily is hard but we still LIVE life to the fullest. Nothing holds us back. We play sports, visit animal farms, go out to eat on occasion and travel. We LIVE!

I have started this blog in hopes of helping other families dealing with these issues to see the brighter side of life. Let them see they are not the only ones. By sharing how we LIVE and handle certain situations we hope others will be inspired to try to do the same.